sarcasm

Are you a malcontent?

I am… Aren’t we all at times in our life?

You know when things don’t go the way you envision, or you really get tired of that one particular kid screaming in service, even though it’s mine…

We all have our moments, right?

If you are a member of a body of believers there are just going to be times when you have complaints. Of course they are legitimate complaints; I wouldn’t think anything else, because mine are also legitimate. Of course your “feelings” matter, and there are even times when you are having a bad day and it’s, even more okay for you to act out, even if it’s only in your mind.

I do it…we all do it right? Sort of a misery loves company thing.

Oh, I know you said it’s legitimate, and I did too, but is it really legit, or is it sin? Yes, I realize the pastor is there for your good pleasure, and he didn’t respond in the way you wanted him too, but really now he does have a job to do doesn’t he? And maybe he takes the shepherding of your soul a little too serious?

…work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Hmmm….

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. – Philippians 2:12-16

It looks like Paul had a similar experience in his church? I wonder if he was writing this to me.

Okay, that’s sarcasm; I know you wouldn’t really think I’d be sarcastic.

I could spend some time digging into the Greek words here, but if I read this plainly it just hurts, as I consider the amount of complaining I do. And God just set this up by telling me to work out my salvation, with fear and trembling.

Have you ever had a really scary dream and you shook under the covers because it was so real? I can think of a couple times when I dreamt something had happened to one of my children. I woke up in drop dead fear, weeping and crying. Does Paul mean that kind of fear, that kind of trembling? I didn’t like that dream, and I don’t like that sort of trembling.

Did we remember that Paul also tells us to consider others better than ourselves in Chapter 2 of Philippians? This is pretty tough stuff if we really are to shine as lights as the verse tells us.

Last week I wrote about what is truth, and in writing about today’s topic, we must revisit last week’s reality. If you are a Believer, you don’t have to live out of your fleshly lusts, we have truth.

It means we have to put off our old self. It means we need to deny those fleshly desires, and crucify them. It’s not easy to be a Christian. No wonder Jesus said the path was difficult, it’s a lot easier just to complain about so and so, or the ridiculous new, you name it, that the elders are wanting us to do.

Whew…. I feel better now, how about you?

Brothers and sisters, we are called to strive for the unity of the body, this is not easy to do, because not everyone is as perfect as I am. They don’t all see it the way I see it, and I’m certain my way IS the best way; I’ve certainly proven that over time. (More sarcasm for those that don’t know me)

Ephesians 4:1-3 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace…

I know… If only they conformed to my way of thinking everything would be better, but since I’m not in a church full of Kevin’s I guess I better spend some time with the Lord, repent and seek His forgiveness for my bad attitude.

“IF” I’m one of His… Ouch, that hurts.

 

Kevin